Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 204 views

    The Zoe Movement in Greece

    Uploaded by

    Stefan Soponaru
    Miscarea Zoi in Grecia

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content

    You might also like

    The Zoe Movement in Greece

    Uploaded by

    Stefan Soponaru
    204 views15 pages
    Miscarea Zoi in Grecia

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    Miscarea Zoi in Grecia

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf
    204 views15 pages

    The Zoe Movement in Greece

    Uploaded by

    Stefan Soponaru
    Miscarea Zoi in Grecia

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf
    of 15
    The Zoe Movement in Greece* REV. DEMETRIOS J. CONSTANTELOS “Zoe!” means life, and the Zoe Movement is nothing less. Tt is life, 2 life of the spirit, a new life within the Greek Orthodox Church and probably a unique one in the Christian World, Tt is a movement of approximately fifty years of age. The Zoe Movement is expressed through various channels and organizations which comprise it, The Movement is known as “Zoe” affer the name of the Brotherhood of ‘Theologians Zoe, which constitutes the nucleus of the movement as a whole. However, the formal namé for the movement is "The Coope- rating Christian Societies of St. Paul.” : Of course, to give in a few minutes a faithful and a detailed account of @ spiritual movement, its history, its characteristics, its influence ‘and especially the presence of the Holy Spirit withia it is an impos. sible task. So we will confine ourselves to the discussion of the hasic eleménts of this Movement. ‘The whole Zoe Movement is strictly and ardently Orthodox. It is a living part of the Orthodox Church and proclaims the message of the Orthodox Christian Faith which is unchanged in Greece since the first churches were founded there by Saint Paul. This does not mean that the Movement faces tlie other Christian churches without love or with bigotry. It can be said that the people in Greece are invariably friendly and tolerant, kind and courteous towards others. The Greek Orthodox Christians work and pray fervently for the ultimate unity of all Christians. The Christian Movement of "Zoe” is characterized by the absence of centralized power and of glorification of personalities; it is not considered @ personal creation of outstanding leaders. The work is done anonymously, methodically, noiselessly, This has permitted the purely Christocentric spirit to be present everywhere; it also has protected the Movement from degeneration caused by dependence on personalities and from the loss, through time, of the original spirit. Although most of those who founded it have died, none of the main characteristics of the Movement have changed, * This brief talk was delivered before the “Urban Priest Group” of the Episcopal Church at the Cathedral House of St. John the Divine, New York, on January 14, 1959, Despite the large membership of the Movement, it should be emphasized that the screening for acceptance of a regular member is unugually strict, A prospective member should not only have pro- fessed his decision for Christ, but also he must have proven it both by living a totally Christian life and by witnessing to his beliefs, often under difficult circumstances. A program of training, Bible study and Christian activities is invariably a part of a membér's life. “Dhe Movement accepts no contributions from individuals or o ganizations outside of itself because of the necessity, of remainj independent and avoiding any implications. There are enough inter nal resources within the Christian Movement of Greece to provide for all its needs, 4, THE ZOR BROTHRRNOOD OF THROLOGIANS: ‘We pointed out in our introduction that this Movement emanates from the Brotherhood of Theologians “Zoe”. This brotherhood was established by the Saintly Father Eusebius Matthopoulos. back in 19rt. Its members, amounting to about 130 at the present time,.aré graduates of Theology and some of them hold one or more other de- grees, These people live in a monastic community exercising the three principles of monastic life. However, no one is forced to stay in. the Brotherhood in case he decides to enter family life. They work ia cooperation with and also within the Orthodox Church of Greece. All these members, of whom only 34 ate ordained clergymen, have accepted the principle not to seck high offices in the church and to refuse any offered to them. The brotherhood's main aim and purpose is the teaching of the Gospel of Christ, according to the Orthodox interpretation, to all classes of the Greek people. They try to pene- trate every class of people through the oral and the written word of God, to find and at the same time, train workers who will be able and ‘willing to create a living Christian, movement all over Greece and wherever Greeks are to be found. In order to succeed in its ultimate purpose, the brotherhood has made use of various means and it has established a number of organizations with an analogous function. Since 1911 the theologians of “Zoe” have been publishing their own periodical issued once a week.’ Today it has more than 170.000 subscribers. Tt has the greatest circulation of all other fewspapers and magazines published in the Greck language. Its great circulation is due to its interesting, contemporary and especially edifying articles fon the one hand, and on the other, to its exceptionally low, price. 2 A year's subscription is 20 drachmai, that is €0'cents, Alongside’ this Periodical the publication of books and pamphlets is one of the most “effective means of “Zoe's” missionary work. The books which are published by “Zoe” have attracted the respect and love of the Ortho. dox peoples. They also have the widest circulation of all other books and editions. Besides the Scriptures, “Zoe” has published in a period of 50 years many books of theological and religious content. ‘They have covered almost every field of Christian and social literature Novels, educational books, social books, musical books, theological books and other books of Christian cultare, for children, young people, Parents, teachers, intellectuals, scieotists, will be found among “Zoe's” Publications. It must be stated that all these publications have the one common feature of being “Christocentrie.” Directly or indirectly they proclaim and teach about Christ. Greece might be one of the very few countries, if not the omly one, where religious or rather Christian literature, in any form, has @ great circulation than that of any other type. Since 1929, the Brotherhood has been publishing the Scriptures in varions forms and editions. The publication of the Old ‘Testament filed a great vacuum and today it has been printed in several edi- tions. The various low-priced editions of the New Testament have left an indelible marke on the people and culture of Greece. The New ‘Testiment published by “Zoe” numbers today 32 editions with about 50,000 copies. The publication of the Scriptures was accompanied by a special series of voluminous commentaries on all the books of the New Testament, except the book of Revelation. The circulation of “Zoe's!” books is really indicative of the acceptance of Zor by the Greek people. Many of their books number many editions. For example, “The Destiny of Man” by the founder of the Brotherhood, Father Eusebius Matthopoulos, has been published in nine editions. “Repen- tance” written by Father Seraphin Papacostas, the successor of Fr. Matthopoulos, has come. out in twelve editions. A few ofZoe's” pu. blications have been translated into Bulgarian, Serbian, French and "English. The illustrated novels for children — a series of 2t novels — have a tremendous circulation. They came out in sixty-one edi- tions. with @ total of 1,000,000 copies. Another series of popvlarized doctrine; faith and ethics under the general title “Religion and life” hhas, up to this day come out in seven pamphlets with a circulation ‘of more then 1,300,000 copies. The Brotherhood is also interested in the cultivation and teaching of the Byzantine music, the official music of the Orthodox Church. fn this field “Zoe” has published 2 series of twenty-three beoks of musical composition and performance. In brief the publishing effort of “Zoe’” is practiced side by side with oral preaching and instruction. The whole publishing effort of "Zce” fas been enormous and its influence in the lives of countless thousands cannot be overestimated. Since 1929, the evangelistic emphasis of the Brotherhood has been centered upon the youth. This work is carried on through cate- chetical or Sunday Schools. Under the direction of “Zoe” a total number of more than 2,100 Sunday Schools function all over Greece. The total number of Sunday Schools of Greece is 7,800. The number of pupils, boys and girls, who attend these schools under the direction of “Zoe” amount to more than 150,000, The best boys and girls of the Sunday Schools, the ones with a better appreciation of the Christian faith and a more matured Christian mind, are chosen and they make up the inner circle of the Sunday Schools known as the Christian Pupil's Groups. The aim of these groups is to propagate the mistion of the Suhday Schools on the one hand and, on the other, to pursue ‘the general education and edifying recreation of their members, so that they may one day become the main staif of the Christian Move- ment, Summer camps are organized in various parts of Greece for the members of the Christian Pupil's Groups and for Sunday School students in general ‘The Brotherhood of “Zoc” has realized that in order to have successful Sunday Schools it must first have trained catechists, teachers and group-leaders. So “Zee” has a special school for Sunday School teachers who receive religious education themselves. Many of these students are chiefly students of theology, literatare and education. “Zoe” thas at the present’ time cight hostels which give young men and women the opportunity of studying together, living and eating together, worshipping together and preparing themselves for Christian and social work. Four of these hostels are for young men and four for young women. More than 800 students of various schools live in these hostels. The life in these institutions is exemplary. Iv is to be noted that “Zoe’” is carrying out its work by its own means and it does not accept gifts or subsidies’ from anywhere. The members of this Brotherhood offer the labor of their missionary work, conscious of the responsibility of their calling by God for the estab- Hshtaent of His Kingdom upon the earth, “Zoe” has been the most successful missionary society in Greecté atid most probably in the whole world for many reasons. The life of "Zoe" brothers is wholly Christian, sober and exemplary, They have dedicated their lives in word and in action to the service of God. “Everything for the glory of Christ” was the lifelong motto of “Zoe's” founder, Father Eusebius Matthopoulos. With the same motto the Brotherhood continuas its work in the vineyard of the Lord “that the word of God may hhave free course, and be glorified.” 2, CHRISTIAN UNION OP PROFESSIONAL MEN After the first world war the need was felt to win the intel- lectuals of Greece from the field of materialism to the cause of Christ. Tt was necessary to strike at the root of the evil that was done by the negation of the spiritual values during the past centuries. “Zoe” took the initiative and with its kelp and support the *Obristian Union of Scientists and, Professional Men”” was organized. At the beginning it had only 20 members, Today there are 1,450, many of whom are leading figures in the scientific, economic, cultural and educational lige of Greece. There are no professional theologians among them. , In 1938, this organization began publishing its official periodical “Aktines” (light rays). Today “Aktines”” is one of the leading maga- zines of Greece in the arts and letters. It has a circulation of more than fifteen thousand copies. The main objectives of this periodical have been to reveal under the light of modern trends and research the downward trend of materializm as a cosmotheory, and prove that the negation of the spiritual and religious values is mostly responsible for the evils of today. ‘Aktines”, ander the guidance of the Christian principles points out that the way to rebuild our individual and na ional fife is none other than the application of the teachings of Christ. ‘The periodical's wide. circulation among the educated people of Greece is not the only sign of the success of this organization, In 1946, two hundred and twenty Greek intellectuals, one hundred and sixty of them University Professors or Professors of University Stan- dard, signed a “Declaration” which was widely circulated among the Greek people. The content of this Declaration was’ expanded in ‘@ manifesto published by the Christian Union of Professional Men, which in book form sold 100,000 copies within one month. To get an idea of the impression created by this manifesto, suffice it to mention the impact it has had on the Communist Party of Greece and on all publi cations affiliated with it. The Communist leaders, enraged on seeing 5 i that their whole theoretical foundation was shaken, had their party's Secretary General deliver a threehour speech to the students and the intellectuals of the party, esiticizing them severely for “having slept ‘like the foolish virgins’ while their enemies were working under their very shade against the foundations of their existence as a. party.” ‘The members of this organization of the “Zoe” moyement during the German-Italian and Bulgarian occupation and the war against Inter- national Communism (for such was the war of Greece between 1945- 1949), sent out various “messages” in order to support, the morale of the fighting nation. Members of this arganization have given, and ‘are. still giving lectures and talks ‘om subject according to their spécialty and in the light of the Chriétian world-view. Such activities fare organized in Athens and other towns and villages all over Greece with the cooperation and help of lacal organizations. Lectures adopted to the nature of the audience are also given at factories, institutions, prisons, schools, military academies and army units, as well as in open air meetings. A speciél group called “The friends of the rural people” deals with problems of agricultural life. “The members of this union publish a second ‘magazine called “rhe World of the Greek Woman’ ‘with a circulation of more than 46,g00 copies. Al of these activities and Bible study, bolstered by the study of the works of the distinguished Professor Alexander Tsiridanis, most important of which is “Towards A Christian Civilization”, develop the personality of the union members so that they become the spiritual leaders, both in the professional and social field, Jea- ders who will guide the nation towards a true Christian civiliza. tion. 9 DE DAMASCUS PUBLICATIONS “Damascus” is the publishing effort in the cultural field of the Céistian Work of which “Aktines” from a part. At the beginning “Damascus” was simply an experiment in research into the. various problems and possibilities which eack one of human endeavor had f offer. For “Damascus” was. not staffed with professional publishers but with men of science, members of the Christian Union of Pro- fessional Men who devoted to the publishing work of “Damascus” what spare time they had out of their professional work. Today, @ few- years after its incorporation, “Damascus” has brought out moré than’ 40 publications including: (1) Poetry inspired by either th recent battles of Greece or by the noble and inconspicuous battles of the human soul towards its way to perfection, or by other sub- jects of Christian Civilization. Poetry for children has not been over- looked and bas been very successful. (2) Short Stories and Novels — collections of short stories and novels were published including translation of such works as Lloyd Douglas “The Robe”, ett. (3) Books of Classical and Devotional Content among which is I. Holz. mer's “Paul” and Guardini's “The Lord.” The publication of these books hes been an excellent success and has provided a spiritual relish for thousands of readers in Greece. (4) Books of Science and Philosophy among which “Towards a Christian Civilization” men- tioned above, should be specially mentioned. This book, now avail- able in English, constitutes the “magna carta” of the work carried on by the Christian Union of Professional Men and other branches ‘of the Christian movement in Greece and expresses the main prin- ciples and the basic problems involved in the future realization of a truly Christian civilization, “Damascus” however has not restricted itself to publishing work only. Another important sector of its endeavors has been the spiritual traifing of new contributors and Christian writers, For this purpose a spetial organization of young men, mostly of academic training, has been formed in order that their talents may be cultivated within an atmosphere of respect towards Chtistianity and spiritual values. This group has from the beginning been a great suecess and justifies every hope for the future. 4. THE STUDENT CHRISTIAN UNION ‘The Student Christian Union is another important organization of the “Zoe” Movement. It was fourided in 1945 and it comprises as, its members students of both sexes of the Usiversities, of the Poly- technic School, of the School of Commercial and Economic Studies, and of the other Schools of higher education of the State. The Student Cheistian Union was known from 1933 to 1045 as the “Academic Sociat Association.” Since the war and after the liberation the Stu dent Christian Movement has been placed on a new basis; it has been greatly developed and now constitutes the most important Stu: dent Movement m Greece, The “Academie Social Association” started its work with a few dozens of students, and now the members of the Association in Athens, Salonica and Patras number aqoo. This number shows an increase in membership of nearly 95% in comparison with the figures of the academic year 1948.49. 3 Beside these students who are specially interested in an active way in the work of the Union, 3000 other students attend its meetings and is special lectures which have proven to be a considerable help for students in getting them more intimately acquainted with Christian life, and in assisting them to find a solution to their personal difft- culties and questions, This work is primarily aimed at preparing skilied cadres and social workers for the Christiaa Movement in Greece by guiding students on all subjects concerned with Christian life and civilization. In this way the Union offers to its members a full © series of lectures and educational lessons (370 each year), given by Gistinguished scientists, which help students to become closely ac- quainted with the life of faith and to solve their doubts and problems. { i Also, a large number of worship services and Bible study sessions (120 groups each consisting of 15-20 members, meet every week) give { students ‘the chance to participate in worship and so to acquire @ personal experience of Christianity. Five summer camps for students fwnction for the same purpose each year. ‘The first happy results of this were first made manifest in the Universities and other schools of higher Tearning, where the Chris- | tian students, working actively and with great enthusiasm, managed to change the prevailing atmosphere a good deal. Today a breeze of spiritual renewal is blowing into what was once only a dry, sterile scientific atmosphere, Among the working and school-going youth, the influence of the Student Union has also been great. More than 800 members of both sexes are occupied each year as teachers and group leaders in the Sunday Schools and the Christian Groups of school boys and school girls, which consist of selected pupils of the above Sunday Schools. Hundreds of visits and epeeches have also been made in many schools throughout Greree, by which the awaltening of the modern world ff and Greece to spiritual influences has been made known to the i younger folk. In addition, 10 summer camps’ for school boys and School girls are orgaaized by the Union During the long years of emergency when Greek youth in the Forces were fighting hard to repel the deadly threat of totalitarian domination, the Union stood by their side, ‘sending tothe front a flow of over 1,000,000 pamphlets, magazines and books and some 40,000 letters. Much such material is still forwarded to the Armed Forces. : 8 No part of the Gresk social life has remained outside of the influ: ence of the Student Christian Union, Military and civilian hospitals, children and refugee camps, the provinces and the villages of the country repeatedly have been visited by Christian students who devote their summer vacations to this purpose (700 such visits are made every summer by ihdividuals and groups). In particular the “Christian Union of Professional Men” and the “Zoe Brotherhood of Theologians give spiritual guidance to the Student Christian Union ‘Thus, thanks to the blessing of God, a new and promising army of young men appears on the scene of modern Greek history ready to carry out the heavy task of material and spisitual reconstruction of this country, which has suffered so much from the attack of the forces of evil. 5. TER “WUSEEEIA” MISSIONARY SISTERHOOD (OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN “Busebeia” is a missionary Sisterhood established in 1938 which has its office in Athens. Its membership consists of unmarried young women, graduates of several University Schools. “Eusebeia's” par- pose is, on the one hand, to assist its members in their application of the Christian life and, on the other hand, to spread and establish the Christian principles among the women of Greece, and among Greck families in general, according to the traditions of the Greek Orthodox Church. The main concern of the Sisterhood is with school girls and girl students of the University, the Pedagogical Academies and other Colleges. It is the Sisterhood's chief aim to edify them in the Christian way and help them to become in the future Greek, Chris tian mothers worthy of their name. The Sisterhood's activity has also been expanded into the provinces. The sectors of Eusebeia's activities are: (a) The Sunday Schools conducted according to program and directions given by the “Zoe” Brotherhood of Theologians, (b) “The Student Movement’ (Christian Students’ Association — girl students), (c) “The Child's Life” a magazine for children, (4) the nurses in the hospitals, e) the young working women, (f) the orga- nization of student choirs, (g) special assistance to the women mem- bers of the Christian Union of Professional men, (i) Bible study groups. Daring the Greck-lialian war of 1o40-4r and at the time of the cecupation, the members of the Sisterhood worked in several social areas. All members are volunteers (receiving no salary whatsoever) 9 a i i t ee and they consider it to be a social mission and 2 duty on their part towards the nation. “The Child's life”, mentioned above, is a fortnightly Christian magazine for children published by the “Eusebeia” Sisterhood since 1946. The magazine aims at offering the children pleasant and in- structive material, within the Christian field, thus contributing to their growth in the Christian way of life. It has a circulation of, about 173,00 copies, mainly among the thousands of Sunday School boys and girls all over Greece and, through them, among boys and girls not attending Sunday Scholl. Tt is a kind of supplement to the Sunday School teaching instruction. Members of the “Eusebeia” Sisterhood, beside contributing to the publication of other periodi- cals of the Movement, are zesponsible for the writing, the illustrative material and the propagation of the magazine, It is also important to notice that most teachers in elementary education and in the high schools make use of the “Child's Life” in liew of a reading book. 6, THE CHRISTIAN UNION OF EDUCATORS Je was founded in January, 1947 and is another organization of the “Zoe” Movement. Today it consists of more than 500 educators, teachers, etc. Its members work systematically for the foundation of education on Christian principles. Tts particular pursuits are: the moral elevation of the educational field; the improvement of the con- tents of school books; the enlargement and strengthening of Sunday School; the creation of model Christian schools for professional education; the affectionate care for the pupils both at school and out of it; and the cooperation with parents for the improvement of ‘the motal level of youth. The members are classified in three groups as follows: (1) The regular members are those who are active pro- essing Christians; (2) The associate members are those who feel a respect and interest for the principles of the Christian faith and (3) The proposed members are the pious students of Pedagogical Academies and of some faculties of the University who are about to become educators. A periodical called “Hellenic-Christian Education” with a circu. lation of over 9,500 is issued each month. Tt deals with subjects on education in the light of Christian faith In cooperation with the Christian Union of Professional Men and the Christian Union of Working Youth they established in Piracus, “The Apostle Paul” school of engineering where members of this 10. ‘Union carry.out the most of the supervising and tutoring work. The Union also contributes to the religious improvement of pupils, edu: eators. and parents in Athens and in the country. It contains a pre- paratory. class which can be attended by boys who have finished their primary school. The courses last for six years and the main aim of the School is, for the present, to educate its students both theore- tically and practically so that they might become a) merine and factory engineers, (b) electricians, and electrical engineers, (c) radio specialists and, technicians specialized in telecommunicstion. The School has not, for the moment, either a proper building or @ complete ‘workshop. But in spite of all difficulties, according to the opinion of some specialists, the training given by the School is quite satisiac- tory and not at all inferior to that given by schools of the same kind which have ‘been functioning for more than ten years. A great deal of effort is expended in providing sound, Christian snoral training along with the regular academic program. Today the School has about 800, students. The Union of Christian Educators has established two other exemplary institutions known as “Hellenic Education.” 1.0m “ORRIGHIAN MPUCATION” PANEWLURNIG UNION OF PARENTS ‘This was founded in 1994 with the chief objective of enlighten- ing .the Greek family on the meaning and value of Sunday Schools to help in the york of education and bring Christ in the Greek fami- fies, The whole“Wwork is carried out on the basis of a program following definite lines of action and instruction. At the same time, all coope: rating -members are contributing to the accomplishment of several missions. In this way they get good practice in organized social work. ‘They become conscious of their task and learn to work methodically and in coordination with the other members. ‘The post-war action of the Union was so muck expanded that it was necessary for the city of Athens to be divided into 20 self- governed sections. The rest of the country has been divided into sixty sections. This expansion made necessary the broadening of the Union's aims and now they are, as follows: (1) The unity of the Christian Greek parents in a common effort to make certain that the principles and, application of the Orthodox Christian faith prevail in Greek families; (2) The continuing development of the conscious- ness of Greek national ideals end Christian teachings in the light of the Orthodox Ohristiad faith. wb ‘There are more than 9,c00 regular members throughout Greece. ‘About 17,300 persons attend large regular meetings, which makes fan audience of neasly 80,000 persons per year. Representatives of all Social classes are included in the above figures. University professors, senior state officials, men of science and of letters and rich business: men are cooperating with simple laborers. It is a true Christian coms manity. In May 1953, the first “Pan-Hellenic Congress" was held in Athens with representatives from 26 towns, The following topics were put before the members: (1) Information about the moral situation of society, of the leading class and of the State officials; their attitude towards the Unjon's endeavor; whether there is any counteraction, by whom and why; (2) How the Union is to face various problems regarding both the inner life of the members and its extemal mani- festations, Tt was concladed that there should be a wider and deeper cultivation of man’s social feeling so that the cleansing of society might be the natural consequence of this inner cultivation rather than the result of reactionary activities whose success is always doubt: ful, Nevertheless, it was decided that the pursuance of specific aims was not to be altogether abandoned. ‘This action was to continue, yet only as part of the broader program of the Movement agaitst vil, The most valuable result of the Congress has been a further Strengthening of the bonds of love among all cooperating members, and 2 deeper appreciation of the importance of unity. The realization of this intrinsic unity is the miain purpose and the final goal of life within the Christian Union of Parents and the other Unions included in the “Apostle Paul Cooperating Christian Corporation” ot “Zoe!” Movement. 8, CHRISTIAN UNION OF WORKING YOUTH. ‘The “Christian Unio of Working Youth" was founded as an official association in 194g, But for about fifteen years before being established officially it had done a good deal of Christian work among the working youth, In the beginaing they had some gatherings in 2 small room but it was soon proven that this room was not sul- ficient and larger quarters and 2 better organization were desirable. During the war this work had to discontinue, but immediately after it there was a call for complete reorganization. Tn this way-the Christian ‘Union of Working Youth was formed. It is divided into two bran ches, one for young boys and one for young girls. Soon the Union grew and branches were established all over ‘the Country. It-now 12 hab 70 such branches in the most important Greek towns, &. &) Sa- enica, Drama, Edessa, Trikala, Carditsa, Volos, Lamis, Agrinion, Patras, Heracicion, Berea, Neochorion, Calamata and other cities It has over 2,000 regular members and six thousand associate mem bess contributing to the work which is done by the Union, They publish the “Light of the Working People” with 6,000 copies being jecued each month. The results of this work prove that religious education is getting deéper into the souls of young people. The ef- fect is a remarkable change in the daily life of boy and girl members of the Union, 9. THO “SAINT HUNIOH" CHRISTIAN UNION Since 1940, Christin young women wishitg to devote their lives to the service of God and their neighbor have volunteered to bécome farses in various hospitals and infirmaries of Athens, Theiz number has increased steadily; today there are more than five hundred. Theit influence and missionary worl have been very successful in those i stitutions of merey. Since 1948 they have been officially organized and now have their own association entitled “Saint Eunice” and their own private home, @ house situated ja a suburb of Athens. Here the nurses spend their days of leave in a warm, friendly; Christian atmosphere. Tac Sisterhood “Eusebeia” through come of its members gives spiritual hhelp and guidance to these Christian nurses, For this purpose there are special lessons and gathering in addition to helpful personal con- tacts. The nurses missionary work is done, not so much by words, but chiefly by deeds, i ©, their own living example of chavity and love, The Greeks Red Cross has already sent some of these nurses to various hospitals of the provinces in order to organize, lead and train local vointary groups (at Agrinion, Calamata, etc.) of nurses. (On similar lines, but for a variety of purposes, there is another women’s organization called “Christian Union of Hope." It consists of professional women, mainly of teachers, educators and medical Goctors. The function of this organization is missionary work. Its niembers are assigned to various cities of Greece and they endeavor to influence Greek fife in various capacities, The members of this zroup freely cooperate and assist other Christian groups. 19, GROUPS OF CHRISTIAN FRIENDS: ‘The spiritual equipment of men and women laboring in the Zoe Movement is provided within the groups’ of Christian Friends. Each B of these groups is composed of 10 to 30 members, presided over by'a_ leader’ and an assistant leader; they meet once a week. The program of cach mésting includes Bible study and discussion and the disesssion of articles of Christian periodicals studied during the week. It also includes an exchange of spiritual experiences within the realm of the subject studied and the motto given the preceding week. Eath week the subject is the same for all groups; the leaders meat once a ‘week to prepare the subject, to work out is main lines, and to dis- ceuss it in the light of their own spiritual experience, The fellowship of Movement members in these groups results in a deeper sétise of spiritual unity with them, and ia an enrichment of their inner lives. At the same time, the groups of Christian Friends are frontline ‘units, where members acquice a greater fighting spirit and missionary zeal. ‘Three hundred sucty groups are working in the Athens area, with a total membership of about s,oco. Sixty of them are student groups, and 20 are composed of working class young men and women: Many of them came into existence during the occupation, in the midst:of innumerable difficulties. 11, SCROOD OF GENERAL CHRISTIAN SEUDIES ‘The Zoe Movement, in order to secure leadership instructed in the principles of Christian ideals, and in order to re-educate its exist- ing staff, established in September, 1943, the “School of Gerieral Christian Studies.” This school aims at offering an opportunity: to all those possessing a University degree, to study the problems of science in the light of Christian thought and to re-evaluate their edu- cation ‘and experience in the light of Christianity as the source of civilization and culture. The annual attendance at this school is ap- proximately 150. An offshoot of the above school is the “Institute of Mental Hygiene and Medical Psychology” founded in 1949. Its purpose is to give its students the opportunity of studying the present status of psychology and of following the development of psychological

    You might also like